Steering mechanism



Apnl 14, 1936. w. A. EATON 2,037,505

STEERING MECHANISM Filed July l0, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1,

` u i Gttorneg April 14, 193s.' w. A. EATON 2,037,505

STEERING MECHANISM Adr Patented Apr. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEERING MECHANISM Delaware Application July 10, 1935, Serial No. 30,740

6 Claims.

whereby the mechanism is readily controlled in such a manner as to entail the expenditure of.

slight eiort on the part of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a vehicle steering mechanism of the poweroperated type and embodying a iiuid pressurevoperated motor, a novel construction including a worm and nut mechanism for readily controlling the ow of fluid pressure to the motor under the control of the operator through the usual steering column.

.A further object is to provide, kin a construction of the above character, a built-in or integral type of control for the steering motor, the construction being such thatthe steering gear assembly and valve control may be easily manufactured and assembled as a unit.

Still another object is toprovide, in a mechanism of the above type, a novel and compact arrangement of parts which, although embodying a compact construction, is yet capable of ready disassembly for the purpose of inspection or repair of the Various component parts.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will appear more'fully hereinafter from 'the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings i1- lustrating several embodiments of the invention. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only and are not to be taken as a denition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similarparts throughoutl the several views:

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a steering mechanism embodying the principles lof the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an axial sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a slightly modiedqform of the invention; v

Fig. 4 is an axial s etional view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. ,\and

Fig. 5 is a transverse-view, partly in section,

oi still another modied for\\ pf the invention.

Referring more particular] .to Figs. 1 and 2,

the present invention is illustrated therein as including a manually-operable steering column 6 operatively connected by means to be described hereinafter in detail to a drag link 1, the latter being suitably connected by mechanism not 5 shown to the dirigible wheels of a vehicle.

The steering column 6 extends within and is rotatably mounted in a housing or casing 8 and has suitably connected thereto aworm 9 positioned in the housing and adapted to receive a 10 nut I0. The latter is formed with slotted portions II for reception of the ends I2 of a leverV I3, the end I4 of the latter surrounding and secured to a steering shaft I5 suitably rotatably mounted in a portion of the casing 8. As shown in Fig. l, one end of lever I5 extends outwardly from the casing and has secured thereto one end of a pitman or steering arm I6, the lower end of which is connected to the drag link 'I'by any suitable means.

For the' purpose of eiiecting power operation of the steering arm I6 and the connections therefrom to the dirigible wheels of the vehicle, a suitable uid pressure motor, such as doubleacting cylinder I1, is provided having a piston I8 25 therein operatively connected as by means of piston rod I9 to the steering arm I6' at a point adjacent its lower end. A suitable valve mechanism is provided for controlling the ow of viiuid pressure to opposite ends of the cylinder I1,

and preferably such valve mechanism iscontrolled by operation of the steering column G and is constructed in such a manner as to offer a resistance to operator-controlled movement of the steering column in a degree proportional to the power required for steering.

, As shown, such valve means comprises similar valves 2| and 22 positioned exteriorly of the casing 8 but secured thereto as by means of screws 23. Referring morel particularly to Fig. 1, the 40 valve 2 I, for example, comprises a casing 24 having a pressure-responsive element or piston 25 therein dividing the casing into an exhaust chamber 2B and an intake chamber 21, the former communicating with the atmosphere through aperture 28, while the latter communicates with one end of the cylinder I1 through a conduit connection 29. Formed integrally with the piston 25 is an actuating stem 30 extending exteriorly of the valve casing, the piston being 5|) normally maintained in the position shown as by means of a spring 3|.

A combined intake and exhaust valve assembly 32 is positioned in the casing 24 and includes an exhaust valve portion 33, -normally spaced from a `foregoing construction, however, that when the piston 28 is moved downwardly to effect contact.

between the seat 34 and the exhaust valve portion 33, further movement downwardly will effect opening of the intake valve portion 31 in order to supply fluid pressure from a reservoir 40 through a conduit 4| into chamber 39 and thence to chamber 21 through the open intake valve. Thus upon actuation of the valve stem 30, fluid pressure will be conducted to the cylinder |1 to eiect power-operated movement of the steering arm I6.

In order to effect ecient manual control of the valves 2| and 22, the same are operated during combined movement of the nut |0 and worm 9 during initial movement of the steering column 6. As shown, this operation is secured by providing a lateral iiange 42 on the nut which extends into a channel 43 formed in a rocker member 44, the latter being positioned within the casing 8 and suitably secured to a valve-operating rod 45 rotatablyvmounted in the walls of the casing. As'

will be observed from Fig. l, the rod 45 is provided with an extension 46, exteriorly of the casing 8, and has secured thereto a rocker arm construction 41, each end of which is provided with adjustable screws 48 for operating the respective valve stems With such an arrangement, referring to Fig. 2, movement of the rocker arm 41 in a clockwise direction to eiect operation of valve 2| will serve to admit iiuid pressure through conduit 29 to the left-hand end of cylinder |1, while counterclockwise movement of the rocker arm will operate valve 22 to supply uid pressure to the right-hand end of the cylinder' |1 through conduit 49.

In operation and assuming that the steering column 6 is turned in the direction of the arrow a, Fig. 1, initial movement of the steering column will eiect rotation of the worm 9 and nut l0 in unison. The nut is rotated by reason of the resistance offered by the connections 1, I6 and I3 which are directly connected to the dirigible wheels, and during suchrotational movement of the nut, the rocker member 44 and shaft 45 will be rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, to effect operation of valve 22. As will be apparent from this figure, the rotational movement of the nut I0 isl limited when the sides of the rocker member 44 engage the casing 8. When valve 22 is operated, fluid pressure will be conducted to the right-hand end of cylinder |1 through conduit 49 to move dragV link 1 to the left as well as moving arms |6 and |3 in a clockwise direction about the shaft l5 as a pivot, and the direction of the threads between the nut and the Worm is such that such movement of the arms tends to return the nut l0 to a central neutral position such as that shown in Fig. 2. Thus, if

4the steering column 6 is held stationary after understood that the valves 2| and 22 are of the self-lapping type, that is are automatically moved to lapped position when pressure upon the actuating stems 30 is released, such movement being secured by reason of theuid pressure exerted beneath the pistons 25 of the valves. It will also be observed, and this is one of the important features of the present invention, that the pressure of the fluid conducted to the cylinder |1 is at all times effective upon the piston 25 to oppose downward movement of the actuating valve stems 38 and thus through the shaft 45, rocker 44 and worm |0, the operator is constantly apprised of the power utilized for steering purposes through the reaction exerted by the pressure-responsive devices 25 in the valve mechanisms.

It will be understood that rotation of the steering column 6 in the opposite direction to that above described will eiiect operation of the valve 2| in such a manner as to admit fluid pressure to the left-hand end of cylinder |1 through conduit 29 to eiect steering of the vehicle in the opposite direction. In steering in either direction, should the operator continue to apply a turning movement to the steering column with a force controlling the flow of fluid pressure to the cylinder |1, and the operation of these valves by the nut ID. As shown, the nut I5 is provided with a lateral extension 42 as in the arrangement previously described, but the casing 8 in the present form is so formed as to permit the valves 50 and 5| to be arranged in opposed relation and to be directly actuated by the nut. Preferably, the casing 8 is provided at its upper portion with suitable openings for receiving valve-actuating stems 52 of the valves 5U and 5|, and the construction is such that upon oscillation of the nut I0 in eithei` direction, one or the other of the valve stems 52 will be operated to cause operation of the associated valve. The latter valves are constructed in a manner quite similar to the valves 2| and 22 heretofore described, and being duplicates of each other, only one will be described in detail.

Referring to Fig. 3, the valve 5i. for example,

by means of screws 54 to the upper portion of the casing 8. Within the valve casing, there is provided a pressure-responsive element or piston 55 secured to the valveeactuating stem 52 and dividing the chamber defined by the casing into an exhaust chamber 5S and an outlet chamber 51, the former communicating with the atmosphere through port 58, while the latter in constant communicatien with the right-hand end portion of the cylinder |1 through a conduit connection 59. As shown, the piston 55 is roslliernly maintained in the position shown, as by means of a spring B0. A combined intake and exhaust valve assembly comprising intake and exhaust valve portions 6| and 62 respectively is positioned Within the casing and is normally resiliently` urged, as by means of a spring 63, to such a position that the intake valve portion 5|V engages a seat 64, While the exhaust valve portion 62 is normally spaced from a seat formed in the piston 55. Thus in normal position, the outlet chamber 51 communicates with the atmospherey through ports 66, 61 and 58, while communication between an inlet chamber 68, connected with a uid pr-essure reservoir 69 through conduit 10, and outlet chamber 51 is interrupted. However, upon actuation of valve 5I by .movement of the stem 52 thereof to the right, Fig. 3, contact between seat 65 and exhaust valve portion 62 will close off the exhaust of chamber 51 and additional movement of the stem will unseat the intake valve portion 6I to connect the right-hand end of cylinder I1 to the fluid pressure reservoir. Operation'of valve mechanism 5i! in like manner will connect the left-hand portion of cylinder I1 to the reservoir through conduit 1i,

In operation of this form of the invention, rotation of the steering column 6 in the direction of the arrow b, for example, will serve to rock the nut I0 with the steering column during initial movement by reason of the resistance to steering offered by connections 1, I6, I5, I4 and I3. Upon rocking of the nut I0, anged extension t2 thereon will effect operation of valve 5| to. admit uid pressure to the right-hand end of cylinder I1, such fluid pressure being effective to move piston I8 to the left to effect proper movement of the steering mechanism connected thereto. As in the form of the invention shown in Figs. l and 2, the valve mechanism 5I is of the reactive self-lapping type, and upon discontinuing rotation of the steering column, the pressure exerted beneath piston 55 of the valve mechanism will lap the latter and interrupt further flow of fluid pressure to the cylinder. Moreover, during power steering, fluid pressure beneath the piston 55 will exert a reaction upon the steering column proportional to thepower required for steering.

It will be readily understood that rotation of the steering column in the opposite direction will initially eect operation of the valve 50 to supply fluid pressure to the left-hand end of the cylinder I1, whereupon power steering in the opposite direction is secured.

A slightly diierent form of valve mechanism is shown in Fig. 5 which may be employed with either of the arrangements heretofore described. The valve mechanism 12 shown herein is of the non-reactive follow-up type and is operable through the action of the nut Ill by means of a slidable bar 18. with a pin 19 connected with a slide valve 13 housed within a suitable casing and adapted, when in normal position, to close ports 14 and 15 leading to the power steering cylinder. The casing for the valve is provided with an inlet connection 15 connected with a reservoir of fluid pressure, while an atmospheric connection 11 is provided in the casing 3, the construction being such that when valve 13 is moved tothe left, for

example, to connect passages 15 and 16, passage 14 will communicate with the atmosphere through connection 11. Suitable resilient means, such as spring 8I, is provided for maintaining valve 13 in uid-tight engagement with its seat.

In operation of this form of the invention, initial rotation of the steering shaft 6 in either direction will serve to connect either passages 14 or 13 with the intake 16 and thus power steering will be effected as in the forms heretofore described. Upon arresting movement of the steering column B, continued movement of the fluid motor will, through the steering arm I6 and One end of the bar is provided connections between the latter and the nut, move the latter to its normal central position as shown in Fig. 5, thus lapping the valve mechanism 12.

While several forms of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that the same is notv limited thereto but may be embodied in various forms, as well understood by those skilled in the art. Reference will, therefore, be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a steering column and a drag link of a motor vehicle steering mechanism, of means for operatively connecting said column and link for combined manual and power operation of the latter comprising a casing, a worm rotatably mounted in the casing, means connecting said worm and column, a nut surrounding said worm, a steering shaft rotatably mounted in the casing, means connecting said nut and shaft whereby the latter may be rotated by movement ,of the nut along the worm, a pitman arm connected at one end with said shaft and extending exteriorly of said casing, means connecting the other end of said .arm with said drag link, a double-acting iluid pressure-operated cylinder having a piston operatively connected with said pitman arm exteriorly of the casing, a pair of valves for respectively controlling the ow of fluid pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, said valves being secured to said casing exteriorly thereof, and means for selectively operating said valves upon initial movement of the steering column in either direction comprising a valve-operating shaft rotatably mounted in said casing and having one end extending through the casing, a rocker arm secured to said shaft end and adapted to operate one or the other of said valves, dependingupon the direction of rotation of said valve-operating shaft, and means connecting the nut and last named shaft for rocking the latter upon initial movement of said steering column and worm.

2. The combination with a steering column and. a drag link of a motor vehicle steering mechanism, of means for operatively connecting said column and link for combined manual and power `operation of the latter comprising a casing, a

worm rotatably mounted in the casing, means connecting said worm and column, a nut surrounding said worm, a steering shaft rotatably mounted in the casing, means connecting said nut and shaft whereby the latter may be rotated by movement of the nut along the worm, a pitman arm connected at one end with said shaft exteriorly of said casing, means connecting the other end of said arm with said drag link, a doubleacting fluid pressure-operated cylinder', having a piston operatively connected with said pitman arm exteriorly of the casing, a pair of valves for respectively controlling the flow of fluid pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, said valves being secured to said casing exteriorly thereof, and means for selectively operating said valves upon initial movement of the steering column in either direction comprising a pair of valve-actuating rods slidably mounted in said casing, and means operatively connecting the rods and said nut for respectively reciprocating the former upon initial movement of said steering column and worm,

3. The combination with a steering column and a drag link of a motor vehicle steering mechanism, of means for operatively connecting'said column and link for combined manual and power operation of the latter comprising a casing, a worm rotatably mounted in the casing, means connecting said worm and column, a nut surrounding said worm, .a steering shaft rotatably mounted in the casing, means connecting said nut and shaft whereby the latter may be rotated by movement of the nut along the worm, a pitman arm connected at one end with said shaft exteriorly of said casing, means connecting the other` end of said arm with said drag link, al double-acting uid pressure-operated cylinder having a piston operatively connected with said pitman arm cxteriorly of the casing, ak pair of valves for respectively controlling the ow of fluid pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder, said valves being secured to said casing exteriorly thereof, and means for selectively operating said valves upon initial movement of the steering column in either direction comprising a reciprocable valve-actuating rod for each valve, and means including an outwardly-extending ange Aformed on said nut and extending lengthwise thereof for operatively connecting the nut and said valve-operating rods whereby the latter are selectively operated upon initial movement of said steering column and worm.

In a vehicle steering mechanism having a drag link connected with Wheels to be steered, a steering column, a housing, a worm connected with thc steering column and rotatable therewith in said housing, a nut surrounding said worm and mounted for limited movement therewith, a pivoted steering arm operatively connected with said nut `and having an end positioned exteriorly of said housing and connected with the drag link, a uid motor having a piston connected with said arm adjacent said end, and valve means operable by said nut during said limited movement of lthe latter with the worm duringv initial movement of the steering column for controlling the flow of uid pressure to said motor, said valve means including a pressure-responsive element subjected to the pressure of the fluid conducted to said motor and operatively connected with said nut for opposing operation of the latter to operate said valve means to a degree proportional to the power required for steering.

5. In a vehicle steering mechanism having a drag link connected with wheels to be steered, a steering column, a housing, a worm connected with the steering column and rotatable therewith in said housing, a nut surrounding said worm, a pivoted steering arm operatively connected with said nut and having an end positioned exteriorly of said housing and connected with the drag link, a double-acting fluid motor having a piston connected with said arm adjacent said end, valve means operable during initial movement of the steering column for controlling the ow of fluid pressure to said motor, said valve means including a pressure-responsive element subjected to the pressure of the fluid conducted to said motor for opposing operation of the steering column to operate said valve means to a degree proportional to the power required for steering, and means c including a lateral extension provided on said nut for operating said valve means.

6. In a vehicle steering mechanism having a drag link connected with wheels to be steered, a

steering column, a housing, a worm connected with said steering column and rotatable in said housing, a nut surrounding said Worm, a pivoted steering arm operatively connected with said nut and having an end positioned exteriorly of said housing and connected with the drag link, a double-acting fluid motor having a piston connected with said arm adjacent said end, valve means for controlling the flow of fluid pressure to said motor, and means including a lateral extenl sien on said nut for operating said valve means 

